Perhaps one of the most significant risk factors for optimal health is the potential for nutritional deficiencies. One of the most important and prevalent deficiencies today is the current lack of iodine in our diet. In the last 30 years, according to the National Health Nutritional Examination Survey, iodine levels have decreased by 50%(1). In one clinical study by thyroid expert Dr. David Brownstein, more than 96% of over 5000 patients tested were iodine deficient(2). According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency affects 72% of the world’s population(3).
Why is Iodine So Important?
While most of us are aware that iodine is a precursor to making thyroid hormones, the role of iodine only begins with the thyroid. Iodine receptors exist in each of the many trillions of cells in the body and regulate cellular function like the movement of nutrition into the cell and the lymph drainage of toxins out of each cell. Iodine was first used therapeutically as an antibiotic for fighting infections in the 1800′s. Even today, before surgery, doctors rub the area with iodine, not Neosporin, to protect against infection. As iodine is our natural antiseptic, we can be at increased risk of infection if we have lowe levels in our blood. In my own practice I have seen the optimization of iodine levels stop the eruption of chronic staph infections in numerous patients and it may play a role in the prevention and treatment of MRSA, a virulent and resistant form of staph infection.
Protects Against Heavy Metals, Chemicals & Toxins
Maybe even more important is the role of iodine in protecting cells from the chemical and toxic load that has reached unprecedented levels in our environment. Chlorine(4), bromine(5) and fluorine(6),(7) are halogens like iodine, but can be carcinogenic in high concentrations. When iodine levels are low, our body’s empty iodine receptors pick up these other halogens or their chemical byproducts and cause toxic exposure and toxin related diseases. Heavy metals, environmental pollutants, pesticides, out-gassing furniture, carpets, pollutants, pesticides, estrogen, and many other cancer causing pollutants also compete for these iodine receptors. These toxins compromise iodine levels needed to support thyroid function, cellular metabolism, hormonal balance, and many other cellular functions.
Since Chernobyl and the increase of nuclear energy, radioactive iodines have been released into the global environment. These radioactive iodines compete for iodine receptors as well and can cause cancer and rob the body of functional iodine. Thyroid cancer has risen steadily. Prior to Chernobyl there were no reported cases of childhood thyroid cancer and today it is the fastest growing cancer in children. After Chernobyl people for hundreds of miles around that area were given potassium iodide pills to fill their iodine receptors and protect the individuals from radiation poisoning. An iodine deficiency will put each person at risk for dangerous toxic and radiation uptake that can damage the thyroid and other iodine sensitive tissues like the breast, prostate, brain, gastric mucosa, salivary glands, cerebral spinal fluid and ovaries.
Why We Are Iodine Deficient
In 1924 the state of Michigan studied 66,000 school age children of whom 40% had goiter. After the introduction of iodized salt into the diet, by 1928, 75% of all kids with goiter were cured. By 1950, iodine deficient goiter disease was basically eradicated(8).
While iodized salt offered enough iodine to eradicate goiter disease, it appeared that iodized salt never delivered enough iodine to adequately support thyroid function, leaving more than 10% of the American population with thyroid disease. Today breast and thyroid cancers and a host of toxin related diseases can be linked to iodine deficiency(9).
Salt is unfortunately not the greatest carrier of iodine. After salt is exposed to air for 4 weeks, the salt shaker loses 100% of its iodine content. Because salt has been condemned by the medical establishment as a risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease, salt consumption, and thus ingestion of iodine, is way down(10).
In addition, most health conscious folk have stopped using refined iodized salt because it is loaded with aluminum and leaches minerals out of the body. Most people have switched to sea salt or a mineral salt which only contains trace amounts of iodine, if any.
Probably the biggest blow to our dietary iodine levels was in 1980 when iodine stopped being used as a dough conditioner in baked goods. From 1960 to 1980 1 slice of bread would fulfill the RDA requirements for iodine because it was in all baked goods. Sadly the iodine in bread was replaced with bromide, which is a toxic halogen that competes with iodine for iodine receptors. Not only did bromide replace iodine in our diet, it has literally been robbing iodine from our cells and the thyroid, which explains the significant comeback of goiter disease.
Fluoridated and Chlorinated Water Depletes Iodine
It doesn’t stop here: fluoridated and chlorinated water compete with and deplete iodine. Fluoride is in toothpaste and chlorine is in every flame retardant fabric, your shower, hot tub, and pool. Combine this with the lack of iodine in the soil and quickly iodine deficiency has become a major health concern.
While these halogens have a direct affinity for iodine receptors – almost all fat soluble toxins in our environment compete for these receptors as well. This includes radiation, heavy metals, pollutants, pesticides, estrogen, and more.
Iodine Helps to Prevent Cancer
In Japan, where the rate of breast cancer is one of the lowest in the world, they consume very large amounts of iodine daily. While our RDA is just 15% of 1 milligram, the average Japanese person ingests 13.8 mg of iodine each day which is more than 100 times our RDA. Based on these findings and today’s toxic load, many experts are suggesting that about 12 mg of Iodine per day is necessary for optimal metabolic function and cancer prevention(11).
The Japanese have one of the longest life expectancies in the world of age 81 for women and very low levels of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer. They also have very low levels of fibrocystic breast disease. The link between low iodine levels and incidence of breast cancer has been known for 50 years(12). Japanese men have significantly lower levels of prostate cancer and very low levels of thyroid disease, which is epidemic in the U.S.
It is well known that the increased exposure to estrogens from plastics, a toxic environment, and synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy have significantly increased the risk of cancer. Optimized iodine levels have been shown to decrease gene responsiveness to toxic estrogen, preventing the risk of cancer(13). Research also indicates that iodine increases apoptosis – timed cell death for cancer cells(14). And it correctly balances the concentration of estrogens in the body by building the amount of cancer preventing estrogen (estriol) and decreasing harmful estrogens (estrone) and (estrodiol)(15).
Since 1980, the start of our iodine deficiency, thyroid diseases have become very common and taking thyroid medicine has become so excepted that sadly we don’t even consider it a disease anymore.
Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency
If you are experiencing fatigue, intolerance of cold, cold hands and feet, foggy thinking, increased need for sleep, dry skin, thinning hair, and constipation you may have an iodine deficiency. This can cause low thyroid and put you at risk of toxic exposure and certain cancers.
Food Sources of Iodine
Iodine Rich Foods include: Sea Vegetables, Cereal, Dairy, Fish (cod, sea bass, haddock, perch), meat, eggs, bread, beans, (poultry).
If iodine levels are deficient, the trace amount obtained from your diet may not be enough to correct a deficiency and offer you adequate protection. The newest clinical data indicates that if you are iodine deficient, the most effective dose to re-saturate the iodine receptors may be 50 mg of iodine per day for 3 months, followed with a maintenance dose of 12 mg per day.
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If you are on thyroid medication, which tells your body not to uptake iodine, you are at a greater risk for breast and thyroid cancer. It is thus very important to increase your iodine intake.
is perhaps one of the most effective adaptogens in the herbal world. Its ability to rejuvenate, fight stress and restore balanced function to the body is unprecedented. It can boost energy and promote better sleep. It has been used to reset thyroid function in both hypo and hyper conditions.
Take 500mg to 1500mg in the morning for three months.
Guggul and Manjistha: Guggul is an herb most famous for lowering cholesterol, but it also forces the release of toxins from fat cells. When the thyroid becomes toxic from poor drainage to the cervical lymph, it loses its communication and circulation ability. Guggul will detoxify the thyroid. Manjistha will stimulate lymph drainage.
Take 500 – 1000 mg of each after meals, twice a day.
These herbs combined, with proper iodine support, offer an environment for healthy thyroid function and iodine optimization.
Iodine Supports the Lymphatic System and Breast Health
Iodine is a natural lymph mover because it boosts cellular metabolism. When the lymph becomes congested certain lymph sensitive tissues react. The breasts will swell during menses which indicates that lymph drainage from the breast is compromised. When the lymph becomes congested the cells cannot remove their waste and the white blood cells in the lymph and the immune system become stuck in traffic. This can make the breasts toxic because they are an area of lymph concentration.
If you have any of these conditions or symptoms, consider following the steps below to confirm an iodine deficiency and take Manjistha, which is a powerful lymphatic system de-stagnator. This can be taken 500-1000 mg after meals, twice a day, for three months to flush the lymph while you are restoring your iodine levels.
Step 1: Take your first morning temperatures under your arm before getting out of bed for one week and find the average. If it is below (97.3) F you may have low thyroid.
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Thank you John. I plan to send this well written article to several friends … and apply your ideas to myself as well. I have been taking a daily iron supplement, however, I think I may also be iodine deficient as well.
Blessings,
Alexia
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